Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and is often implicated in community-acquired pneumonia of unknown etiology. Pneumococcal pneumonia can lead to bacteremia, meningitis and other potentially life-threatening sequelae. Blood cultures are positive in only 25% of the patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. The Streptococcus pneumoniae Antigen test detects 78% of the non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia cases.

Pneumococcal meningitis can arise spontaneously or can occur as a complication of another pneumococcal infection. It frequently leads to permanent brain damage and the mortality rate is 20-30%. Since it can progress from mild symptoms to a coma stage within hours, rapid diagnosis and treatment is essential.

This test is for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen in the urine of patients (≥ 5 years of age) with pneumonia and in the cerebral spinal fluid of patients (any age) with meningitis.

It is intended, in conjunction with culture and other methods, to aid in the diagnosis of both pneumococcal pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis.